Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-07-21
FROM CHARLEsToWN, w. VI.
4 Fair VaUey--PastoraI Sceites--Gotd-
en- Vheat--Grassy Fields--Ha'io,ced
Ground--H Bears the Tread Of Stone
.raH Jackson's Men--RepIetc With
Historic Interest, Etc.

CuARLEsrowy, JEFF. Co w. VA.
July II, 1887.
Eds. BaKimorcqn: Doubtless God could
have made fairer land than this Valley,
but doubtless G u never did.
Just now it is particularly beautiful, the
golden wheat 5 wave their sun-kissed
billows, like a ga Of glory, over the hills
the green fields OF grass invite TO rest and
repose and the old Blue Ridge Mountains
are indeed beautifully blue. Marked by
the Laughing Daughter" of the The
Stars"-the Shenandoah-the lift their
royal heads beneath the fairest skies, and
hold out their welcoming arms over the
Valley.
All this Is hallowed ground-oyer every
acre of it heroes have walked, footsore and
weary, tired aud hungry, ragged and thorn
beaten every blade of grass nourlshed,
and even the very dust is heroic dust. Here
Stonewall Jackson's men made glorious
history and undying fame; here the great
est of all military chieitains prayed as ne
fought and fought while praying.
On every hillside, in every valley, the
graves of the heroic dead tell the story OF
the glory of those who wore the gray.
Oh what a glorious heritage 1t Is how
rich is that land whose borders hold so
many noble dead,
At the sight of the old familiar places We
find war memories come flooding upon Us f;
we hear in the night the tramp, tramp,
tramp of the invader, and the whiz OF the
Mimic ball is in our ears but we see no
trace of the war here now.
The Valley smiles like garden of roses.
Beautiful homes, well-kept lawns, magnlil-
cent roads, all speak of peace and prosperity.
This town, so full Of historic interest, Is
one Of the most thriving and pleasant towns
your correspondent has visited.
Burned, torn down, trampled on, robbed
and pillaged during the late unpleasant
ness. it now shows no signs of 1t.
With a population of two thousand, 1t Is
steadily improving. New buildings are
continually going up, and it is only occa-
sionally that any of the business houses
make an assignment. Three good newspa'
pcrs add very much to the prosperity OF the
| place.
The FREE Press is edited by Mr.. w. w
b. Gallaher, who, as paragraphlst, has nc
superior. The Spirit Of Jefferson, breathing
indeed the spirit OF Jefferson, and very
staunch and true supporter OF the Demo
cratic party, is edited by Mr.. George Haines
q very Jolly, genial man Of Falstallian pro-
portions.
The West Virginia Democrat is edited by
the Hon. James NJ. Mason, who is cOntinu-
ally making it warm for somebody.
it is delightfully."- cool here compared tc
your sweltering heat. Here everybody has
| lots of room and room for lots.
Oh how pity your editorial corps, shut
up in the heated walls Of Fayette street
whileI have whole county to roam around
| loose in.
Charlestown has an excellent Town Hal
ana is one of the best show towns in the
State for all good troupes. Snide show:
had better dodge it.
know of no more delightful place in the
world in which to spend the heated term
The very best of people open their doors
kill their chickens and rob their gardens fol
YOU. The sweete~. and freshest of milk
with cream an iuch thick, and butter as
yellow as pure gold, graces the table daily
Perhaps the unequalled refinement and
culture of these Valley folk, is due in a
great measure to the fact that nearly all OF
| them read the BdHim0re0a.
Yours truly, AMOS KEETER.